Jal Nigam created to address Shimla water woes

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 16

To address the water woes of the “Queen of Hills” the Cabinet gave nod for the creation of Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) water supply and wastewater management in Greater Shimla Planning Area. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai RamThakur here on Monday. The SJPNL will take care of raw water off-take treatment, distribution of potable water and recycled non potable water, wastewater collection, treatment, reuse, recycling and disposal. The estimated project cost is likely to be Rs 770 crore and will be implemented with financial assistance from the World Bank.

The Cabinet decided to create and fill various posts in Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Shimla and Dharamsala Smart City Mission to execute works worth Rs 2906 crore and Rs 2105 crore for Smart City Shimla and Dharamsala, respectively.

The Cabinet decided to provide honorarium of Rs 21,500 per month, three per cent annual increment, 12 days casual leave and 10 days medical leave along with framing of transfer policy for the Gram Vidya Upasaks working in elementary education department on the analogy of Primary Assistant Teachers.

The Cabinet decided to create a new Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Sub Division of the Public Works Department at Kangu (Salapar) in Mandi, expediting work on widening of the Salapar-Tatapani road under Central Road Fund. The Government of India has approved Rs 219 crore for this road. Nod was given to open new Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Nihari in Mandi district and upgradation of veterinary dispensary Sulah to a hospital in Kangra.